Food & Etiquette

Food for thought.

Coffee shops, family restaurants, and bars are nice places to meet with friends. The biggest drawback, however, is that they are quite expensive by U.S. standards. However, if you order the teishoku定食sets it is often quite reasonable. If you are on a budget look out for all-you-can-eat tabehoudai食べ放題 and all-you-can-drink nomihoudai 飲み放題 offers that are plentiful. Convenience stores such as 7-11, Family Mart, Lawson, and others provide cheap, and often quite good options for meals at home or on the go. You can get onigiri (rice balls), noodles, salads, and many teishokutype options.​

 

The Legal Drinking Age in Japan is 20

Be careful when you go out for just a drink, because many bars will require you to eat something along with your drink order, and some may ask for a "table charge." Nightclub cover charges are around ¥1,000 per person, and you are often expected to order a steady stream of drinks and food for as long as you remain there. At other clubs, you may pay ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 to get in the door, but are treated to a gourmet dinner and open bar while the band performs.

It is frequently the custom that the bill is divided equally among everyone, regardless of who ordered what. Thus, a person who ordered only an iced tea winds up being socially pressured into paying his or her share of a bill when others were drinking beer. Many people do not like this custom, but it is considered impolite to not pay an equal share of the bill. Sometimes more senior individuals will treat the junior ones, so you should play it by ear and do what your peers do.

Restaurant Etiquette

Many restaurants will have plastic food displays out front which is a good way to find out what you want if you are not familiar with the names of dishes. Look at these before going in as the menu will most likely not have pictures or descriptions.

  • When you enter, ask for a table for the number in your party. Usually you will receive complimentary water and/or tea. You will receive the bill face down on the table either when your food arrives or at the end of the meal.
  • When you are finished take the bill to the cash register at the front to pay. Usually they do not take payment at the table as is common in the U.S. Tipping is not common in Japan so just pay the amount of the meal.
  • Many cafeterias and quick noodle shops will have meal tickets. There is often a machine at the entrance with photos of all the options available. Put in your money and select the option you would like. You will receive a ticket that you take to the counter and give to the person there.

 

Food/Restaurants Apps

Gurunavi (Free, iOS & Android) Restaurant guide for travelers and residents in Japan

TeePee Guide ($, iOS) Another restaurant guide for iOS only